10 Things I Learned from my Mother-in-Law

10 things I learned from my mother-in-law

1.  There's no point in trying to be someone you're not, even if you admire that person profusely.

2.  Always follow the instructions the first time through.   Then improvise to your heart's content. 

3.  If you feel like doing something (within the limits of right and wrong), do it.

4.  If you feel like reading something, read it. 

5.  If you like something, don't apologize. 

6.  The world at hand is the most fantastic world of all.

7.  It's okay to believe in fairies as long as you remember to keep them in their place.

8.  It's okay to leave the room when the football game gets too intense (but the same does not apply to movies for some reason). 

9.  Beautiful does not necessarily mean pretty and especially not pretty-pretty.

10.  When you say, "God is in control," that means you stop worrying.


Ten things that I learned from her memorial service. 
 1. Life is an art, not a science.  We are not trying for reproducible results.   

2.  Grace shows up in the oddest places, and the love of God will cover over a multitude of hurts if we let it.

3.  Artistic integrity can make you some enemies, but it will earn you respect too. 

4.  Healing really does come from acknowledging that someone is gone and appreciating his or her life.

5.  I knew my mother-in-law pretty well, but I didn't appreciate her nearly enough.

6.  Big men cry hard, and that's okay.

7.  "It is well with my soul" is an awful tear-jerker, but it's possible to sing while you cry.

8.  Marriage is about leaning on each other.   There's a lot of strength in an isosceles triangle. 

9.  Life does go on, and it's okay to be happy.

10.  The best way to miss a person is to build on what they've left for you.